The Project Gutenberg eBook, Bertha, by Mary Hazelton Wade

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Title: Bertha

Author: Mary Hazelton Wade

Release Date: September 15, 2004 [eBook #13470]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BERTHA***

E-text prepared by Al Haines

BERTHA

Our Little German Cousin

By

MARY HAZELTON WADE

Illustrated by L. J. Bridgman

Boston

1904

THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES

Preface

When the word Germany comes to our minds, we think at once of ruined
castles, fairies, music, and soldiers. Why is it?

First, as to the castles. Here and there along the banks of the
River Rhine, as well as elsewhere throughout the country, the
traveller is constantly finding himself near some massive stone ruin.
It seems ever ready to tell stories of long ago,--of brave knights
who defended its walls, of beautiful princesses saved from harm, of
sturdy boys and sweet-faced girls who once played in its gardens.
For Germany is the home of an ancient and brave people, who have
often been called upon to face powerful enemies.

Next, as to the fairies. It seems as though the dark forests of
Germany, the quiet valleys, and the banks of the beautiful rivers,
were the natural homes of the fairy-folk, the gnomes and the elves,
the water-sprites and the sylphs. Our German cousins listen with
wonder and delight to the legends of fearful giants and enchanted
castles, and many of the stories they know so well have been
translated into other languages for their cousins of distant lands,
who are as fond of them as the blue-eyed children of Germany.

As to the music, it seems as though every boy and girl in the whole
country drew in the spirit of song with the air they breathe. They
sing with a love of what they are singing, they play as though the
tune were a part of their very selves. Some of the finest musicians
have been Germans, and their gifts to the world have been bountiful.

As for soldiers, we know that every man in Germany must stand ready
to defend his country. He must serve his time in drilling and
training for war. He is a necessary part of that Fatherland he loves
so dea